Creating Sherry, Orange Liqueur and Artichoke Cocktails

The Vinos de Jerez Cocktail Competition, sponsored by the Sherry Council of America, is now accepting entries to find America’s best Sherry Cocktail. Professional bartenders may use any style of Sherry, from any bodega in Jerez. Entrants must provide the precise recipe, the proper garnish and the ideal glass, and explain in writing why the cocktail is great, when best to serve, the exact preparation method and steps of assembly and why it’s the perfect [bar] food match. The drink must be menued as well — a copy of the cocktail menu of the bar/restaurant where the cocktail is being served is required, as is a photo of the drink. Deadline for entry is Friday, Sept. 17. Send your entry to winegeek@akawinegeek.com. Oh, and the prize? The winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to Jerez, Spain, and a full scholarship to Beverage Alcohol Resource’s five-day program. Not too shabby!

The Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur open challenge for bartenders to create its next signature cocktail is still on, with a grand prize of $5,000 and 11 weekly prizes of iPod Nanos. Weekly prizes will be based on the highest number of votes for each week online. The grand prize judging will be based on a variety of criteria. Each entry will receive a total score with a maximum of 100 points awarded. Each cocktail will be mixed by panel of judges and sampled by each. Each judge will rate the cocktail individually based on taste, originality, ease of preparation, presentation and overall appeal, based in part on consumer vote. For all info and submission requirements, click here.

The Cynar “Bocce and Artichokes” local New York professional competition broke just before we sent this out, so the winner will have to wait until next time. But here are the entrants in the cocktail competition using the Italian artichoke-based amaro: Nic Hirsch of Cellar Bar at Andaz 5th Avenue, James Menite of Fornino in Brooklyn, Raphael Reyes of Yerba Buena, Justin James Noel of Contemporary Cocktails and Tina Michelle Braunstein of Empire Rooftop. The five finalists will present their entries at the event and the winner, selected by popular vote, will receive $1,000.